Coal-separator



PATBNTED JAN. 26, 1904.

G. A. KENNER.

COAL SBPARATOR.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 3, 1902.

H0 MODEL.

[NVENTOR M15612] m w v A Qj/zz/T a TNE mm versus co Paowu'ma, wAsmnaTom UNITED STATES Patented January 26, 1904.

GEORGE A. KENNER, OF HEREIN, ILLINOIS.

COAL-SEPARATOR.

SPECIFICATION formingpart of Letters Patent N 0. 750,657, dated January 26, 1904.

Application filed April 3, 1902. Serial No. 101,237. (No model.)

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, GEORGE A. KENNER, a citizen of the United States, residing at Herrin, in the county of 'Williamson and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Coal-Separators, of which the following is a specification, reference being had therein to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates to a coal-separator, and particularly to a structure having a pivotal support at one end and an oscillatory m0- tioiii imparted to the opposite end of the receptac e.

The invention has for an object to provide a separating-basket pivotally supported at its discharge end and provided at its opposite or receiving end with means for oscillating the same, together with an automatically-operating gate at the lowest portion of the basket adapted to open and discharge impurities which are collected in the lower portion of the basket by gravity in the oscillating motion thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide means for Washing the coal during the separation thereof and assisting in the feeding of it to the separator and discharging therefrom by a current of water.

Another object of the invention is to provide an improved construction of automatic device for controlling the opening and closing of the impurity-gate when a predetermined amount of material has collected upon the same.

Other and further objects and advantages of the invention will hereinafter appear, and the novel features thereof will be defined by the appended claims.

1n the drawings, Figure 1 is a vertical longitudinal section through the separator; Fig. 2, a sectional end view thereof. Fig. 3 is a detail elevation of the spring for controlling the impurity-gate, and Fig. 4 is a detail showing the adjusting pawl and ratchet.

Like letters of reference refer to like parts in the several figures of the drawings.

The letter A indicates a basket or receptacle formed of any desired material and construction and preferably provided with a reticulated bottom A and provided at its discharge end with a solid wall A having a knifebearing edge A resting upon a bearing-block A, secured to a fixed support or standard B, as shown in Fig. 1. This receptacle A is located over a tank B, closed at its lower end and adapted to contain a body of water which may be supplied through the inlet B or other suitable source. Above the receptacle A a cross-bar B extends between the standards and supports a driving-shaft O, which has secured thereon an eccentric O and sleeve O connected to the receptacle by hangers C These hangers are pivotally secured to the receptacle, as shown at O*, so as to impart an oscillatory movement in a vertical plane to the receptacle, the pivot thereof being at the opposite lower end. Adjacent to this pivot or bearing A a discharge-gate D is located and adapted to automatically open by the weight of the material thereon through any desirable mechanism. For instance, as herein shown, the gate is pivoted at D and normally held closed by means of a rod D extending upward to a spring tension device comprising a shaft E, pivotally mounted upon the upper face of the receptacle A by means of bearings E and provided with a ratchet-wheel E engaged by a pawl E secured to the receptacle. Between the ends of the shaft E an adjustingwheel E is secured thereto, and from this wheel in opposite directions extend two coiled springs E, surrounding the shaft and secured at one end to the wheel E*, as shown at E, and at the opposite end to a rotating sleeve E loosely mounted on the shaft and provided with an arm E to which the rods D are connected. It will thus be seen that the draft upon these rods places the springs E under tension and permits the gate D to open when sufficient material has collected thereon to overcome the tension of the springs. This tension can be adjusted by rotating the handwheel E, which moves the shaft and ratchet carried thereby, so as to increase the tension of the springs.

The receptacle A is provided with a discharge-spout A at one end, over which the coal and overflow of water from the tank passes into a suitable receiving-receptacle. At the opposite end of the separator a feeding-hopper is located and provided with the usual adjustable plates or doors F. To regulate the feed, an apron F is pivotally mounted at the lower end, so'as to discharge the material into the basket. This feed is assisted by a water-discharge F located at the lower end of the hopper which carries thecoal forward into the basket.

In the operation of the invention it will be seen that the receptacle A is provided with a bearing at its lower portion, while an oscillating means is connected at the opposite end from the bearing, so that the motion thereof causes the material to work forward toward the discharge end, and the slate and other impurities passing downward by gravity collect upon the discharge-gate D. When this collected material has increased to sufficient weight to overcome the tension of the springs E, the gate opens and discharges the impurities into the tank B and is immediately closed by the springs. During this action a feed of water is passing upward through the bottom A and discharges over the spout A carrying therewith the coal, so that the action of the water also assists in moving the coal from one end of the basket to the other, besides thoroughly cleansing the same from dust and dirt, and finally discharges the coal into a receivingreceptacle. The water-supply is under sufiicient pressure to accomplish this result, and the automatic feed at the receiving end of the basket is also materially assisted by the supply of water at that point.

The gates D have been shown as formed in two parts; but they may be connected together to operate as one, or a single gate may be used. It is also intended to use any desired mechanism for oscillating the separator and for automatically controlling the opening of the discharge-gate.

It will be obvious that changes may be made in the details of construction and configuration without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Having described my invention and set forth its merits, what I claim, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. A coal-separator comprising a tank having an upward water-feed, a receptacle disposed within said tank in a substantially horizontal plane, a pivotal support at the delivery end thereof, means at the opposite end for oscillating the feed end of said receptacle upon said pivoted end entirely above its normal horizontal plane for feeding material toward and over the delivery end, and an automatically-operated downwardly-opening dischargegate in the bottom of the receptacle at the pivoted delivery end thereof and connected to the receptacle by tension devices attached substantially at the pivoted axis of the receptacle.

2. In a coal-separator, a receptacle disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and having a reticulated bottom inclined from the receiving to the delivery end, a pivotal bearing at the lower portion of the delivery end thereof, an eccentric mechanism connected to the receiving end of said receptacle by sleeve and hangers for oscillating the same upon said pivoted end entirely above its normal horizontal plane, a pivoted downwardly-opening discharge-gate in the bottom of the lower portion of the pivoted delivery end, and a spring tension device located upon the receptacle above and connected to the gate by depending rods.

3. In a coal-separator, a receptacle or basket having a reticulated bottom, a bearing at the lower portion of the delivery end thereof, an eccentric mechanism connected to the opposite end of said receptacle for oscillating the same upon said bearing, a pivoted discharge-gate, a spring tension device for normally holding said gate closed comprising hangers extending from the gate to a rotatable shaft under tension, an overflow-spout from said receptacle, and a water-supply beneath said receptacle at the opposite side from said overflow; substantially as specified.

4. In a coal-separator, areceptacle or basket provided with 'a discharge-gate at its lower portion, a tension device for closing said gate comprising a shaft having a hand-wheel and a ratchet secured thereto, a pawl upon the receptacle to engage said ratchet, coiled springs extending from said hand-wheel, and a connection extending from said gate to said springs for increasing the tension thereon when the gate is opened; substantially as specified.

5. In a coal-separator, a receptacle disposed in a substantially horizontal plane and having a reticulated bottom, a pivotal bearing at the delivery end thereof, mechanism connected to the receiving end of said receptacle for oscillating the same upon saidpivoted end entirely above its normal horizontal plane, a pivoted downwardly opening discharge gate in the bottom of the receptacle at its pivoted delivery end, and a spring tension device located upon the receptacle above and connected to the gate.

In testimony whereof I afiix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

GEORGE A. KENNER.

Witnesses:

THos. B. STOUT, WVILLIAM MI'J'LLER. 

